Lyft riders can’t stop using this word — and it’s VERY 2024

The Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year was "brain rot"; Merriam-Webster's was "polarization." But for Lyft riders, the standout word of 2024 was decidedly more positive.

Every day, thousands of Lyft riders leave comments about their drivers. This feedback is traditionally peppered with adjectives like "nice," "safe," "excellent," "professional." But this year, a surprising number of comments included the word "mindful." Indeed, it was used 35% more frequently than in the previous year.

Notably, "mindful" didn't come out of nowhere. On August 16, creator Jools Lebron made a TikTok video describing how she gets ready for work ("very demure, very mindful") that went viral, accumulating nearly 300,000 likes (she also rides with Lyft in the same fashion). The word "demure" got lots of attention on social and in the press, but in Lyft rides, "mindful" was everywhere. In fact, the frequency of Lyft riders describing their drivers as "mindful" jumped 165% in mid-August.

TikTok virality aside, "mindful"seems to be part of a larger trend toward emotional well-being. Other trending adjectives this year included "sensitive" (+26% increase), "peaceful" (+15%), and "compassionate" (+13%), as well as "quiet," "gentle," and "thoughtful."

This is a change from 2022 when riders were more likely to emphasize the quality of the journey. Feedback for drivers over-indexed on adjectives like "prompt" (+16%), "punctual" (+15%), "competent" (+12%), and "courteous" (+12%), as well as "timely," "efficient," and "careful."

This trend suggests that passengers are trading a preference for an efficient driver - who gets them where they want to go quickly and smoothly - for an empathetic driver - who is aware of their needs and respects their space.